Northern Illinois at Iowa - 2026 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo Northern Illinois Huskies at Iowa HawkeyesIowa logo
Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Kinnick Stadium - Iowa City, IA

 
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Thomas Hammock (35 - 47)
Avg Score : 17 - 24 (16 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Iowa -33  (SP+ IOWA -36)
Projected Score: NIU: 6 - IOWA: 39 (44)
IOWA Win prob: 99% | Cover: 52%
NIU Travel: 144 miles
Hawkeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (213 - 128)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (28 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Northern Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northern Illinois at Iowa+33
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northern Illinois at Arizona+28

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northern Illinois's Schedule
Iowa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Iowa vs Northern Illinois-33
Sat 9/12 Iowa vs Iowa State-12
Sat 9/19 Iowa vs Northern Iowa-37.5
Sat 9/26 Iowa at Michigan+4
Sat 10/3 Iowa vs Ohio State+13.5
Sat 10/10 Iowa at Washington+7
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Iowa at Minnesota-7.5
Sat 10/31 Iowa vs Wisconsin-17
Sat 11/7 Iowa at Northwestern-7.5
Sat 11/14 Iowa vs Purdue-19.5
Sat 11/21 Iowa at Illinois-0.5
Fri 11/27 Iowa vs Nebraska-10.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Iowa's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NIU#126 (.04)34% (132)17.138% (116)2.84 (84)18628% (136)993.04 (121)#86 (.19)44% (100)24.346% (111)41% (65)3.45 (49)380.91.1
IOWA#73 (.17)44% (45)29.348% (16)3.29 (15)17739% (97)1434.44 (20)#26 (.08)39% (29)16.141% (54)37% (25)3.34 (38)30.211.1
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
IOWA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Offense1217.116.334.5%3.040.915284186994.565%34%38%28%13%.04
IOWA Defense1316.113.738.5%3.341.1 - - - - - 48%50%41%37%17%.08
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Defense1224.327.844.1%3.451.1 - - - - - 58%40%46%41%11%.19
IOWA Offense1329.328.344.5%4.441173201771434.660%38%48%39%11%.17

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northern Illinois1229:131532%59%4.3380.91.13.31.2127.3
Iowa1331:2717.543%67%330.211.14.81.9533.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NIU Offense1265% (6)38% (116)41.4185.64.516 (122).11 (73)2.84 (84)69% (85)10% (87)1.11 (15)
IOWA Defense1348% (45)41% (54) - - - - .08 (53)2.92 (75)69% (50)10% (52)0.89 (33)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NIU Defense1258% (132)46% (111) - - - - .17 (107)3.18 (117)72% (78)7% (134)0.95 (62)
IOWA Offense1360% (12)48% (16)38.8176.94.628 (23).19 (34)3.29 (15)81% (10)8% (32)0.9 (98)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Offense1234% (131)28% (136)10.820.398.84.99.28 (128)6 (60) (134)1.6 (32)34% (116)23% (132).13 (127)3% (4)2.1 (46)
IOWA Defense1350% (91)37% (25) - - - - - - 11 (38).16 (30)1.4 (8)29% (105)24% (10).22 (41)7% (32)2 (52)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Defense1240% (5)41% (65) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (45)1.5 (55)28% (120)36% (130).5 (134)5% (114)2.1 (108)
IOWA Offense1338% (126)39% (97)13.822143.26.510.312 (128)8 (60).24 (71)1.5 (68)27% (15)26% (112).2 (110)3% (4)1.9 (92)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -17.22  #127
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 1.53  #121
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 23.75  #115
2026 Talent Rating: 544.00  #100
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #22
Northern Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Northern Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -16.7  #128
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 12.0  #135
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.1  #74

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 513.78
Average Power Five Talent: 884.66
Average FBS Talent: 706.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -17.22   Iowa: 16.28

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -16.7   Iowa: 19.7




Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 16.28  #35
Iowa's Offense Rating: 12.85  #55
Iowa's Defense Rating: 9.99  #26
2026 Talent Rating: 854.00  #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #22
Iowa's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Iowa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 19.7  #12
Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.1  #37
Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.2  #6

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 884.66
Average FBS Talent: 706.9


Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 17.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 16.3
Defense: 24.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.8

Northern Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Iowa 39
Northern Illinois 6

Projected Total Points: 44
Iowa Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.3
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.7

Iowa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201809/01Iowa33Northern Illinois7Iowa -9.5Iowa46.0Under
201308/31Iowa27Northern Illinois30Iowa -6.5Northern Illinois0
201209/01Northern Illinois17Iowa18
200709/01Northern Illinois3Iowa16
200610/28Iowa24Northern Illinois14
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Iowa410 Overs
Northern Illinois111 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 31 - 11 - 10 - 0
Road Teams3 - 21 - 10 - 01 - 1

(#127) NIU at (#35) IOWA
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNIUIOWA
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #127 #35
SP+SP+ #128 #12
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #100 #35
Blue ChipsBC% #22 #22
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffIOWA Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #132 #29
ExplosiveExp #57 #8
PPAPPA #126 #26
PowerPwr #121 #26
SP+SP+ #135 #6
Pts POPPO #121 #38
HavocHav #29 #42
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffIOWA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #116 #54
Run ExplRExp #15 #33
PPAExp #73 #53
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #84 #75
Stuff RateStuff #60 #71
TackleTak - NR
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #136 #25
Pass ExplPExl #32 #8
PPAExp #134 #30
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #52
DB HavocDB #4 #32
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCatIOWA OffNIU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #45 #100
ExplosiveExp #132 #40
PPAPPA #73 #86
PowerPwr #55 #115
SP+SP+ #37 #74
Pts POPPO #20 #49
HavocHav #6 #132
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffNIU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #16 #111
Run ExplRExp #98 #62
PPAExp #34 #107
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #15 #117
Stuff RateStuff #15 #119
TackleTak - NR
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCatIOWA OffNIU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #97 #65
Pass ExplPExl #68 #55
PPAExp #71 #45
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #32 #134
DB HavocDB #4 #114
Program Comparison
IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

NIU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Kinnick Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
NIU's OC Quinn Sanders (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Josh Holst7813060%689435.3
Brady Davidson408746%384334.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Chavon Wright19687554.545
Telly Johnson Jr.12469045.680
Jalen Macon4521654.836
Lazaro Rogers3318915.776
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Gary Givens III12145112.131
Rickey Taylor Jr.9134114.941
Telly Johnson Jr.169706.117
Elijah Porter167167.067

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster

NIU's DC Rob Harley (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mark Hensley315110
Donte Harrison302005
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
James Finley150002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
Mark Hensley315110
Elijah Porter30000
Malik Armstrong10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Donte Harrison302005
Dev'ion Reynolds130003
James Finley150002

IOWA's OC Tim Lester (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hank Brown112152%107115.1
Jeremy Hecklinski22100%8004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
L.J. Phillips Jr. (Tr)2811860196.667
Kamari Moulton17087855.234
Xavier Williams4928535.843
Nathan Mcneil3716904.624
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Evan James (Tr)65796712.261
DJ Vonnahme29434315.051
Ayden Price20365218.363
Reece Vander Zee15219214.629

View Iowa's Full Roster

IOWA's DC Phil Parker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Jayden Montgomery441022
Deshaun Lee341006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lance Ingold (Tr)172220
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Alex Mota10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Deshaun Lee341006
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105